10 Tourist Places to Visit Around Historic Jhansi

Jhansi is a historic town in Uttar Pradesh, an Indian state. It is situated on the banks of the Pahuj River in the Bundelkhand district, in the extreme south of Uttar Pradesh. Jhansi is the headquarters of district Jhansi and division Jhansi.

Jhansi Fort

The Fort of Jhansi was founded by Raja Bir Singh Judao of Orchha, built in 1613. This fort was built on top of a rocky hill, and around it is the entire city of Jhansi.

This fort was one of the Sepoy Mutiny’s key hubs of 1857. Below the fort’s walls is a depiction in the form of a diorama, the bloody war in which Rani of Jhansi gave her life to save her people from British hands. The fort has the Karak Bijli tank within it, along with a museum that offers good artefacts and sculpture collections that speak of Bundelkhand’s bygone era.

Rani Mahal

Raghunath II Newalkar designed the Queen’s Palace or Rani Mahal. This former home of the Rani of Jhansi has now been transformed into a museum that displays a lot of Rani Lakshmi Bai’s memory as well as archaeological evidence of the 9th to 12th century era that was recently discovered.

The palace has an open courtyard that is totally different from the typical Bundelkhand architecture, with arched chambers around it. The palace was one of the 1857 Great Sepoy Mutiny’s principal centres. The Rani Mahal has colourful paintings to it. In the second floor, the palace also has a Durbar Hall that has a truly decorated wood-panelling ceiling.

Cenotaph of Raja Gangadhar Rao

Raja Gangadhar Rao’s Cenotaph, the Jhansi Raja, was built in 1853 by his wife, Rani Lakshmi bai, after his death. Gangadhar Rao’s rule lasted from 1843-1853 for a decade. A lush green garden, an adjacent lagoon and rich architectural designs surround the cenotaph. The structure stands in the middle, with hollow carved high walls on all four sides with architectural designs from the 18th century. The time suggested for a cenotaph visit is from October to March.

Jhansi Museum

Jhansi Museum is one of India’s iconic museums established around the late 19th century which helps us trace the roots of colonial India’s Indian history. Since the 4th century BC, the Jhansi Museum, also known as the UP-Government Museum, has artefacts along with exquisite pre-modern India artworks.

This museum, dedicated to Rani Lakshmi Bai, not only illustrates Jhansi’s history but also throws light on UP’s Bundelkhand region. Over the years, Jhansi Museum has become one of Uttar Pradesh’s major tourist attractions owing to India’s rich cultural heritage, particularly Jhansi.

Barua Sagar

Located about 24 kilometres from Jhansi city, Barua Sagar is a municipal board and town in Jhansi district famous for the Barua Sagar Lake. The place is also known as the Bundelas and the Marathas battleground in 1744 AD. Located on the bank of the Betwa River, the area boasts many attractions such as the Jarai-ka-Math Fort and other temples.

Parichha

Parichha is a dam constructed on the Betwa River, about 25 km away from Jhansi. The Dam’s reservoir is suitable for water sports. Located on the Jhansi-Kanpur Highway in Jhansi District, the town of Parichha also has a 640 MW coal-based power station. The Parichha Dam constructed reservoir stretches about 34 km from Jhansi to Notghat Bridge. Boating in this lake is a popular activity.

Panchatantra Park

Panchatantra Park is an animal-themed park based mainly on the book ‘ Panchatantra’ by Vishnu Sharma, for children in Jhansi. The park was built by the Jhansi Development Authority on a vast stretch of a green patch in the middle of Jhansi City primarily for children with exciting animal statues on the theme of Panchatantra.

Over the years, this has not only been an exciting place for children, but also for adults to enjoy morning and evening walks away from the city’s hustle and bustle, where they can enjoy a soothing environment free of pollution. In addition to several animal-themed slides for the kids, this park also has an adult jogging track.

St. Jude’s Shrine

Shrine of St. Jude, located in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh is a shrine of the Roman Catholic Latin Rite dedicated to St. Jude Thaddeus. It was designed by Francis Xavier Fenech. It is located in the Jhansi region of Cantonment, and is one of the country’s prominent Catholic community churches. Daily mass is performed with a great deal of devotion and commitment. Even, every year on October 28, Christians from across the country are gathering here to celebrate St. Jude’s Feast.

Rai Praveen Mahal

Rai Praveen Mahal upholds the historical legends of the ancient princely Orchha kingdom. It is situated in a town called Tikamgarh and the tourists are impressed by its classic folk tales and majestic beauty. The palace is situated alongside the Betwa River and holds its charm because of the nearby greenery and the iconography and intricate artwork on the second floor. The two-story Rai Praveen Mahal is only 18 kilometres away from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, about 80 kilometres from the centre of Tikamgarh City.

Orchha

At 16 kilometres from Jhansi. It is one of Madhya Pradesh’s popular tourist resorts. Orchha, meaning a ‘ hidden place, ‘ is located on the banks of the river Betwa and blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. Orchha’s main attraction is the Orchha Fort complex, located on a Betwa River Island. Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal & Rai Parveen Mahal are part of the fort complex.

Besides Orchha Fort, Chaturbhuj Temple, Chhatris Temple, Lakshmi Narayan Temple and Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary are some of Orchha’s famous sights to visit. In addition to sightseeing, rafting and boating at Betwa River is one of the most popular things to do in Orchha. Orchha is home to many fairs and festivals. Ram Navami, Dussehra, and Diwali are some of the Orchha festivals that are celebrated with much enthusiasm.